Mark Neal

Mark is a farm systems’ expert who brings strengths in agricultural economics, economic modelling, and optimising farm systems and their profitability to his role managing the data science and modelling team.

Mark’s job is diverse and includes developing and maintaining strategic relationships and leveraging funding opportunities nationally and internationally. Mark also provides oversight and governance to a number of large projects that DairyNZ delivers.

Within DairyNZ, he supports the science and economics teams by helping them with analysis and plays a key role in modernising the science data that has transformed DairyNZ’s ability to manage big data and enabled the use of new techniques, like machine learning.

“I take a practical approach to understanding, creating and sustaining profitable farm systems,” says Mark. “And can see the key strategic opportunities where science can enhance pastoral farming.” His involvement in the Pasture Summit events has been a highlight, showcasing profitable farm systems driven by high pasture utilisation. Mark has also played his part in influencing environmental regulatory processes by providing credible farm systems and economic analysis.

Mark has deep-rooted connections to the dairy industry. After gaining his Bachelor of Agricultural Economics with Honours from the University of Sydney, he worked as a researcher for the Universities of Sydney and Melbourne. Mark has also worked in management roles on his family’s farms in New South Wales, and on farms in Chile and in the United States.